THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 11, 1994 TAG: 9411100188
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY NANCY LEWIS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 107 lines
Deborah Maloney smiled and gestured discreetly toward a man lounging on a floor mat. ``Sometimes you watch miracles happen,'' she said.
The man, who appeared to be about 30, has a history of mental illness and was spending this night at Thalia Lynn Baptist Church as part of the winter shelter program run by Volunteers of America. Although it's the second year he has sought refuge through the non-denominational church effort, he recently found a job and will soon move into his own apartment, explained Maloney.
As program director she is dedicated to helping the disenfranchised back into the mainstream of society - so dedicated that some of those she helps call her ``Mom.''
Other shelter participants also lay comfortably on their bedrolls inside the Virginia Beach Boulevard church's social hall while a mime entertained them with skits. They were clearly tired from yet another day on the streets. In fact, some had already dropped off to sleep. A few pawed through boxes of donated clothing in the church entry, putting together wardrobes.
``Hey, look at this,'' called out one young man. ``I spotted this as soon as I came in the door.'' He slipped a red-and-white Adidas windbreaker over his head. It fit perfectly.
The 32 men and women had just finished a meal of spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, garlic bread and dessert prepared and served by churchwomen. It was the first night of a weeklong stay for the homeless band at Thalia Lynn Baptist, and parishioners went all out to make them feel at home.
About 30 Virginia Beach churches are part of this sixth annual effort to shelter, clothe and feed the city's homeless. They rotate their duties among themselves each week. This year, for the first time, a Norfolk church - Wesley Memorial United Methodist - is part of the effort.
During the warm months - from May until October - many of these adults sleep in the woods near the beach. But with the advent of chilly nights, they head for the city's Social Services building early in the evening for the screening process that culminates in a bus ride to a host church.
There is a stigma attached to being homeless, said one of the handful of women who sought shelter recently at Thalia Lynn Baptist. She preferred to remain anonymous. Society at large views homeless people as ``just a bunch of vagabonds,'' she said. ``You can't tell someone you're homeless. They'll say you're no good. You can't let people know.''
If it is true that the homeless are stereotyped, it is disproven by the disparate histories of five members of this group:
Don Simpson looks older than his 47 years. His salt-and-pepper beard and intellect might let him pass for a college professor or a lawyer. Simpson once worked as a proofreader in Washington, but he lost his job and went off disability too soon when he moved to Virginia Beach. He has lived in the open during the warm months and taken refuge in the shelter churches off and on for the past three years, sometimes finding temporary lodging with friends. Simpson was engaged in a lively chess game Wednesday night as he waited for the bus to Thalia Lynn. He was hopeful that his overdue government check would arrive the next day so that he could rent a room.
David McCloyn, 35, has lived in Virginia Beach for nine years. He is single and works, just now, in a warehouse. The trouble is he doesn't make enough money to be able to pay rent along with other living expenses. It is his third year as a shelter participant.
McCloyn is a former substance abuser who has been helped by the shelter program. ``It keeps you off the street. . . . I feel good about myself.''
McCloyn, like Simpson, is optimistic. ``By Thanksgiving I'll be in my own place,'' he said.
Jay Verge, 31, arrived from San Diego about a year ago. He has a good job but no credit references, so he hasn't been able to rent a room or an apartment. His biggest problem is transportation. He must report to work at 7 a.m., but getting there on time from the various church shelters is difficult. It is a problem shared by many employed shelter participants.
The anonymous 38-year-old woman quoted above was released two years ago from a state institution. A native of Virginia Beach and a Kellam High School graduate, she had worked in the food industry before being hospitalized. Like the other homeless people interviewed, she lives outside in warm weather and enters the shelter program in October. But it's hard to get a job when you don't have a permanent address and telephone.
Unlike other interviewees, the woman was pessimistic. The shelter program is ``a no-win situation,'' she said. ``Nothing changes.''
A 41-year-old Vietnam veteran, who also would not let his name be used, has been homeless for three years. The Newport News high school graduate had worked as a chef before losing his job because of what he referred to as his ``living disorder.'' He was elated Wednesday because he would start a new job the next day. But getting bus fare to work was problematic. Director Maloney consulted mentor Earl Davis from the city's Department of Social Services and came up with the money.
``Homelessness is real,'' said the man. ``People don't know how serious this is.''
Maloney knows how big the problem is. It is a situation she wants to change.
``They feel safe, protected in the churches,'' she said, watching her homeless charges. ``It's a refuge.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by NANCY LEWIS
Having been through the screening process, Don Simpson, left, and
Scott Stoddard pass the time with a lively game of chess as they
wait for a bus ride from the city's Social Services building to
Thalia Lynn Baptist Church.
Mike Bekinnie sleeps at Thalia Lynn Baptist Church as part of the
winter shelter program. Other shelter participants also rested
comfortably on their bedrolls inside the Virginia Beach Boulevard
church's social hall while a mime entertained them with skits. Most
were clearly tired from yet another day on the streets.
by CNB